Everything that happened in EVs on 22 September 2026

In China, Aito owners are protesting Huawei’s apparently reduced role, amid concerns about technology, service, resale values and future pricing. Meanwhile, the Nio ES9 is emerging as a major sales driver, with 30,000 deliveries expected less than four months after launch.

Volkswagen is expanding its electric lineup at both ends of the market. The company will unveil the 370 kW ID. UNYX 09 sedan, co-developed with Xpeng, in China on September 24, while production of the compact ID. Cross has begun in Pamplona as VW seeks better utilization of its European factories.

Volvo is preparing a broader reset. Its 2027 design language will bring physical buttons back and use touchscreens more selectively, while Škoda CEO Klaus Zellmer is set to lead Volvo Cars by October 2027, taking on cost cuts, a model renewal and a more regionally focused electrification strategy.

Charging and operating costs remain in focus. CATL and DHL plan electric freight corridors in Europe with fast charging and battery swapping, although routes and launch dates are still undecided. In Germany, Shell Recharge has upgraded 150 fast-charging points and promises at least 50 more this year. For private drivers, new calculations suggest home charging can cut energy costs by up to 70% compared with gasoline.

Tesla’s software roadmap includes Grok voice control, pothole detection and FSD v15, though regulatory approval will determine availability in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Early Belgian data indicates fewer collisions with FSD active, especially away from highways, but the Tesla-supplied sample covers only a short period. Owners should also note that Tesla has no conventional fixed annual service interval, even though key wear and safety checks still matter for warranty coverage.

The humanoid robot race is moving into factories. Xpeng has opened an automated production line for its IRON robot in Guangzhou, with deliveries expected from 2027, while Tesla is rapidly expanding its Optimus factory in Texas ahead of a targeted large-scale production start in the same year.

At the luxury end, Rolls-Royce is subjecting Project Nightingale to extreme durability tests, including exposing its cashmere-lined roof to 80°C and cycling the side-opening trunk 15,000 times.

Trade tensions are also building as China warns the EU against restrictions on hybrid imports. Beijing is invoking World Trade Organization rules, while rapidly rising shipments of Chinese hybrids add to political pressure in Europe.